The purpose of the Arts and Culture Commission is to organize and promote initiatives in the Township to celebrate the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Whitpain Township and provide meaningful artistic and cultural experiences to the residents of Whitpain Township.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Whitpain 8-20-2024 by Ord. No. 418. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to the provisions of the Second Class Township Code, 53 P.S. § 65101 et seq., there is hereby created an Arts and Culture Commission in and for the Township of Whitpain.
[Amended 1-21-2025 by Ord. No. 423]
A.
Art and Culture Commission members shall be residents of Whitpain Township appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Whitpain Township. At the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, one member need not be a resident of the Township provided the member holds a position in the visual or performing arts with the Montgomery County Community College.
B.
All Arts and Culture Commission members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors of Whitpain Township.
C.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall consist of five members serving overlapping three-year terms. Initial appointments shall be staggered so that the terms of approximately 1/3 of the Arts and Culture Commission shall expire each year, as follows;
D.
Arts and Culture Commission members' terms of office shall expire on the first Monday in January following the last year of their term of office.
E.
Should a vacancy occur, the Board of Supervisors shall appoint a member to fill the vacancy only for the unexpired portion of the term.
A.
The Arts and Culture Commission members first appointed shall organize within 20 days of their appointment.
B.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall designate the Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission.
C.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall elect one member as Vice Chair of the Arts and Culture Commission and one member as Secretary.
D.
The Arts and Culture Commission may appoint other officers and may designate a person to act on behalf of the designated Chair in their absence, and it may make and alter bylaws and rules and regulations to cover its procedures consistent with the ordinances of Whitpain Township and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
E.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall reorganize at its first meeting in even-numbered years.
F.
A majority of the sitting members shall constitute a quorum, and all business shall be transacted by a majority of the quorum present.
G.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall meet at the call of the Chair or at the direction of the Board of Supervisors.
The Arts and Culture Commission is to be advisory to the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors confers no independent authority on the Arts and Culture Commission. The Arts and Culture Commission shall not exercise any powers or perform any duties which by law are conferred or imposed upon the municipality or other commonwealth agency.
The Arts and Culture Commission shall have the following advisory powers and duties:
A.
Serve as an artistic, cultural, and/or creative resource to the Board of Supervisors and the Township's other boards, committees, and commissions.
B.
Develop relationships and liaise with organizations, government agencies, and community groups dedicated to or facilitating artistic, cultural, creative, preservation, historical, or other similar programs or initiatives.
C.
As directed by the Board of Supervisors, represent the community for artistic and/or cultural matters at the regional, state, and national levels.
D.
Advise the Board of Supervisors on artistic and/or cultural programming for the community.
E.
As directed by the Board of Supervisors, conceive, plan, and execute artistic and/or cultural programming for the community.
F.
Other duties as directed by the Board of Supervisors.
A.
The Board of Supervisors may appropriate funds for the expenses incurred by the Arts and Culture Commission for such administrative, clerical, printing, and legal services as may be required in the exercise of the aforesaid advisory powers and duties.
B.
The Arts and Culture Commission may not contract separately for professional or vendor services but shall have access to Township professional services with the approval of the Township Manager.
C.
The Arts and Culture Commission must obtain the approval of the Township Manager prior to the expenditure of any funds.
Members of Arts and Culture Commission shall receive no compensation for their services, but they may be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties, provided that the expenses have the prior approval of the Board of Supervisors.